‘Lobbyist Room’ At PA’s State House Chamber Now Closed

The “lobbyist room” at the back of Pennsylvania’s state House of Representatives chamber is now closed. For decades, lobbyists could sit in chairs, watch floor proceedings on TV, print out copies of bills and send messages to lawmakers in the chamber through House pages. It was, perhaps, a vestige of a clubbier time decades ago when lobbyists are said to have mingled with lawmakers during voting sessions. The House’s chief administrative official says he decided it isn’t appropriate.